1854

While some Melburnians revelled in the economic boom, hundreds of families suffered under the burden of absentee breadwinners, living in misery and squalor.

Adding to this, the city's population mushroomed from approximately 80,000 in 1854 to a staggering 500,000 in 1891.

There was little structure or social networks to support marginalised people.

It was around this time that the lives of Hester Hornbrook, a prominent philanthropist, and John Singleton, a visionary medical doctor, crossed. They agreed that 'a mission embracing all denominations and unsectarian in its character' was vital to the health and wellbeing of all Melburnians.

They then lobbied prominent clergy to support their vision, and on Friday 11 August, the proposals for a mission were accepted by a gathering of 650 people at the Mechanics Institute. This marked the beginning of Melbourne Citymission.